Rohitash Rao was born in an exotic, faraway land called Hyderabad, India. He then grew up in another exotic, faraway land called Rancho Cucamonga, California. He now lives in a magical city on an island called Manhattan, where he works as an animator and director. He makes films with stuffed animals, puppets, dolls, toys, and, when forced to, human beings. Along with author Peter Nelson, Herbert’s Wormhole is Rao’s first children’s book, much of which he illustrated while sitting on a broken stool in his apartment.

Please visit www.herbertswormhole.com



HERBERT’S WORMHOLE
HarperCollins Children’s, May 2009
Genre: Children & Middle Grade
Agent: Brenda Bowen

“With its amusing cartoon drawings and zany adventures, this is sure to be a hit… Give this to kids who have moved beyond ‘Captain Underpants’ but want something just as silly and funny.”—School Library Journal

Herbert Slewg, a kid inventor-genius, and his hapless, video game–addicted neighbor Alex Filby stumble upon what Einstein could only theorize about: a wormhole through the space/time continuum. Wearing special video game attire modified by Herbert, they travel 100 years into the future of their no-longer-boring town and are mistaken for alien slayers… in a world run by a benevolent alien race called G’Daliens.

With cheerful accents and uncomfortably fake facial hair, the G’Daliens have taken over Earth but seem to have reached a peaceful, happy co-existence with humans. But one disgruntled G’Dalien is determined to prove that humans aren’t necessary after all. Through a series of lively gaffes, Herbert and Alex must save the planet—and their 22nd-century hometown—in this smart-alecky (but friendly), inventive, wry, and very visual creation.

A sequel, Herbert’s Wormhole 2, is due from HarperCollins in 2011.